From: Del Wilson (dwilson8@utk.edu)
Date: Sun Dec 01 2002 - 23:28:37 CST
** If you would like the condensed version of this, to see if you want
to read the whole thing, please scroll down to the bottom**
What follows has been on my heart about sharing for a while. I'm not
exactly sure how to say this, or even if it's completely appropriate for
the list, but as a Christian, an Eagle Scout, and 3 trek Philmont
participant, I wanted everyone to know the facts.
Earlier this spring, and again about a week ago, there were posts
mentioning Adventure Trails and Timberline Transportation. I worked for
Adventure Trails during the summer of 1999, 2000, 2001, and this past
year, 2002. I learned a great deal over the past 4 years and met
several of you in the process. It was a rewarding experience. In 2001,
a scout in Jerrold Schwartz's Troop came forward with allegations of
abuse. After a year of several court proceedings, Jerrold accepted a
plea-bargain and pled guilty to 4 counts this past May. He was
sentenced in August to 2 2/3 to 8 years. Did he do anything? He
probably had to do something, because the truth always has a way of
coming out. Did he do everything that his accusers said he did? I don't
think so. Don't always believe everything the press sensationalizes.
I worked with Adventure Trails this year because I knew that Christine
was running the show, and she needed my help. I also knew that scouts
needed reliable transportation to Philmont. I almost didn't go, and I
almost left several times during the summer because of all the "mess".
But I was there, and I stayed there this summer because of you all, the
scouts needing our services. All that aside, the facts are that he has
admitted to doing something that makes him unable to ever work with
scouts/youth again. He has an interest in Adventure Trails, Timberline
Transportation, and ScoutConnect. They are "separate companies" with
"separate ownership", but it all goes back to the same place. As
ScoutConnect goes- the travel agency that issues airline tickets is it's
own wonderful organization (I highly recommend), but "ScoutConnect" is a
dba of Timberline. What your troop does is your call, but I would not
give money to either company. I spoke with Jerrold a few times this
summer, and I told him that he needed to realize that he was out-
finished - done. He needed to move on. If he does or does not, I
don't know- he hasn't so far. If he had given it all up, I wouldn't be
sending this out. I have nothing to do with either company anymore.
Meanwhile, as a college student I realize that one of my best employer
references is now in jail and the company is basically gone. I’m a
little hurt that the man I worked for seems to have had "another side",
but that's all in the past now. I'm trying to put all this mess behind
me and move on to what God has called me to be.
Many of you may remember Christine. She has worked with Adventure
Trails for 15 years. "The former leader in Scouting travel". Recently
she resigned from Adventure Trails. Jerrold was unwilling to totally
give up the company, as we all suggested he do. Christine has recently
started "Leading the Way Tours". Yes, it's a take off of the old
Adventure Trails slogan, but it has NOTHING to do with Jerrold Schwartz
or the former company. No money, computers, data, or anything else
came from Adventure Trails, just the 15 years of knowledge she gained.
I don't have the phone number, but she has been working on a website
www.leadingthewaytours.com. It should be up in a few weeks. Christine
has all the knowledge and connections of 10 years of pre-Philmont
travel. Basically this is "Adventure Trails" under new ownership. I
don't know if I'll be able to work with the new company next summer, but
I would highly recommend it. I don't mean to advertise, but Christine
took a bold step to start a new company and she needs all the support
she can get.
Someone may try to accuse me of destroying Adventure Trails or
Timberline, but I honestly don't care. The truth is that Jerrold
Schwartz still has an interest in these companies and no scout group
should be working with them. I was hesitant to send this out, because
there are good people that have worked and still do work with AT and
Timberline. But the truth is the truth, and I couldn't sit back and let
any scout group give money to these companies thinking that "Jerrold is
not affiliated with them". The truth is more important than any
negative results of me saying this. They say Scouting teaches you a
lot, and Scouting got me hooked up with Adventure Trails, Scouting
taught be to leave Adventure Trails, and Scouting taught be to tell the
truth. And all along this wild ride the past year, I've learned a whole
whole lot. Put Adventure Trails behind us, give Christine or another
company a call, and have a GREAT time at Philmont, because Philmont is
what it's all about. Getting there is just an important detail.
A final plea- I really don't want this to start a long discussion on the
list. I just felt I needed to get this out. If you have any questions
or comments, you can reply to me directly. dwilson8@utk.edu.
Yours In Scouting,
Del Wilson
Former Tour Leader, Adventure Trails (99,00,01,02)
Eagle Scout class of 1998
Philmont Treks (96,98, 01)
CONDENSED VERSION / SUMMARY:
The Truth is important. The truth is that Jerrold Schwartz, who has
admitted to Child abuse, is still affiliated with both Adventure Trails
and Timberline. I am a former employee of Adventure Trails. I would
NOT recommend that any scout group send money to either company.
Christine, formerly of Adventure Trails has recently started "Leading
the Way Tours". I would give her a call. For more details, read the
entire email above.
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